1.9- m and 2.0- m laser diode pumping of Cr(2+) :ZnSe and Cr(2+) :CdMnTe.

Efficient diode pumping at wavelengths of 1.9 and 2.0microm of a Cr(2+): ZnSe laser with an output power of 105 mW and a slope efficiency of 35% with respect to the absorbed pump power is presented. In addition, Cr(2+): CdMnTe has been laser diode pumped as well as operated in the continuous-wave regime, to the best of our knowledge for the first time.

Cr(2+):ZnSe and Co(2+):ZnSe saturable-absorber Q switches for 1.54-mum Er:glass lasers.

Passive Q switching of Er:glass lasers has been demonstrated with Cr(2+):ZnSe and Co(2+):ZnSe saturable absorbers. A pulse duration of ~50ns and an output pulse energy of 5 mJ were obtained with both Co:ZnSe and Cr:ZnSe passive shutters. A Q-switched conversion efficiency of as much as 26% was obtained for Cr:ZnSe. Theoretical modeling exhibits satisfactory agreement with experimental data.